I'd Rather Die

In his book, I’d Rather Die than Give a Speech, Michael M. Klepper tells the story of how he went from “heart failure” to “speeches with heart.” He learned to hurdle what could have been a career handicap and turned it into an asset.

Glossophobia is the fancy name for fear of public speaking and it affects most of us to some degree. Rare is the person who’s immune to any form of nervousness or apprehension at the thought of public speaking and performance. Even famous celebrities deal with it. Many learn to push through their pounding heart, profuse sweating, shaking, and even vomiting. For others, it’s a paralyzing fear they never overcome. Often it begins in childhood.

That’s why we’re so proud of Brad.

At a recent meeting of our Portage Chamber Toastmasters Club, Brad delivered a speech about his greatest fear. As a boy, Brad lived with a stammer which grew worse with nerves. The other kids teased him, and you can imagine how little that helped.

Brad’s an introvert who loves working with numbers. He’s gifted in figuring out investments and how to make money grow. He was a natural candidate to become a financial consultant for other people.

Except for the people part.

Brad admitted he’d always suffered a fear of talking to people, both one-on-one and in groups. Standing in front of a crowd to speak became his most dreaded nightmare. But Brad knew if he was going to prove successful in his career—and in life—he needed to conquer this fear. And the best way to overcome any fear is by doing the thing you fear. Preferably, with people who will cheer you on and help you grow.

Brad enrolled in a twelve-week Dale Carnegie course. The course gave him a new level of confidence and the courage to take the next step. That’s when he joined our club.

Toastmasters is all about giving its members opportunities to speak in a safe, supportive environment. It works! In the brief year we’ve been meeting, I’ve watched people who, at their first meeting, took a pass when called on to say their own name. The next week they were able to stand and introduce themselves. The following week they introduced themselves and answered the question of the day. And so on.

Brad was one of these. The day he commanded the lectern and spoke for six minutes about his journey was not only a triumph for Brad. It was a victory for all of us.

And he didn’t stammer once.

Was it perfect? No speech ever is. And that’s the beauty of it. Even the best speakers have room to improve, and we meet to help one another do exactly that. Brad earned himself the flaming pink flamingo that day, a fun and super-classy award given out at the end of each meeting to honour our “most improved” member.

Your Creator did not intend for you to live in fear (See II Timothy 1:7). He smiles when you conquer your fears and move toward becoming the person he designed you to be. If public speaking is a fear you’d love to conquer—or even if you’d simply like to become more polished in your presentations—I hope you’ll consider joining us at Toastmasters. Regardless where you’re at on your road to better public speaking, you’ll receive helpful evaluations, growth points, and encouragement. You’ll go home having laughed a lot, applauded a lot, and been applauded for. A lot.

Our group is business-focused, which means if your employer or a group to which you belong is a Portage Chamber member, you are welcome to join. We meet every Monday (except holidays) for one fast-paced hour starting at 11:45 a.m. in the board room of Community Futures Heartland – 11 2^nd Street NE in Portage. You’re welcome to bring your lunch.

Keepsakes of Conflict

In my ongoing quest for details that might spark my next set-in-Manitoba historical novel, I took myself to the Ft. la Reine museum to see the exhibit currently on display. It’s called Keepsakes of Conflict: Trench Art and Other Canadian War-Related Craft. Trench art is any item made by soldiers, prisoners of war or civilians, using war material, provided they are associated with armed conflict or its consequences. This exhibition interprets the human aspect of war, and how conflict affects us mentally, emotionally, and physically. 

Those who’ve never lived through a war might wonder why on earth anyone would want souvenirs from the horrors of conflict. This exhibit sheds light on some of the possible reasons. Many of the objects, like napkin rings and letter openers, speak to a life of refinement. They represent hope that life will be good and decent and civilized once again. Shell casings and bullets used to create works of art also reveal a soldier’s need to share his experiences with others. The uncomfortable quality of these pieces reminds us of the sacrifices made. Creating a beautiful vase from an instrument of death points out our need for transformation on so many levels.

 During World War II, 34,000 German soldiers were housed in prison camps across Canada. Their guards purchased or traded with prisoners for their craft items such as carved wooden boxes, canes, picture frames, ships in bottles or light bulbs, drawings and cartoons. In contrast, Canadian soldiers held captive by German forces had no such resources for self-expression. They turned anything they might get their hands on into something necessary for survival.

 You’ve probably heard of craft therapy for victims of PTSD. This idea is not new, as many wounded veterans recovering in hospitals during and after the war created wicker work, embroidery, wooden furniture and toys, metalwork and the like. Creativity can help heal all kinds of trauma. Wounded soldiers were the first to hand-cut red poppies used to commemorate Remembrance Day.

 The shocking contrast of this artwork reveals much about human nature. We have never learned to get along, to rise above destroying one another. Yet, made in the image of our Creator, we also long for beauty, redemption, transformation, and healing.

 Did you ever wonder why Christians choose the cross, a gruesome device of torture and death, to wear as jewelry or decorate our homes and churches? The symbol remains significant in much the same way as the war art. When Jesus was nailed to a rugged Roman cross, he fought the most significant battle ever: the war for our souls. 

 The enemy thought the cross was his own greatest victory. Jesus turned it into Satan’s greatest defeat. Christ’s triumph came three days later when he conquered death, clearing the way for us to live lives of redemption and transformation. The cross becomes beautiful because of the great reversal Christ accomplished there.

 Keepsakes of Conflict will be at the Ft. la Reine Museum until November 15, so this weekend is your chance to see it. This time of year, the museum is open Friday through Sunday only, 11:00 am until 3:00 pm. While you’re there, you will want to tour the whole place, so go early. Regular adult tickets cost $10 but if you’re a student or over sixty, it’s only $8. Children five to twelve get in for $5 and under four get in free. If that all adds up to more than $25 for your family, you’ll want the daily family pass instead.

 Lest we forget.